Can stopper

ABSTRACT

A closure or stopper for cans and the like. The closure member includes a triangularly shaped member of elastic material in which there is rotatably mounted an adjusting member. The closure member is first inserted into the standard triangularly shaped opening of a can while the adjusting member is in an inactive position. The adjusting member is then rotated a predetermined angular distance whereby the closure member is sealingly pressed against the walls of the container opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In known closures, e.g. for cans, the sealing pressure is produced onthe seal by means of the resilient character of the closure member only.Known closures for jars and bottles do include some means in the form ofa screw or a plunger to increase or decrease the closing pressure of theclosure member against the internal walls of the bottle or jar. However,such closures have not been found to be suitable for satisfactorilysealing the openings of cans, in particular soda or beer cans. Moreover,the removal of the known closure members for soda or beer cans is quitedifficult because of the high pressure that is required by the resilientmember against the walls of the opening of the soda can or beer can.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a closure for soda or beer cans. Suchcans generally have a metal tab with a metal ring, which when pulledoff, exposes a triangularly shaped opening in the top of the soda orbeer can. It has been quite difficult to properly seal this triangularlyshaped opening in the can. According to the invention a closure isprovided which is distinguished by an elastic closure element in whichthere is rotatably mounted an adjusting member or operating member, sothat a sealing pressure is produced by this adjusting or operatingmember after the closure member, consisting of an elastic material suchas rubber, has been inserted into the can opening; the operating memberis angularly moved thereby increasing the sealing pressure of theelastic material against the walls of the can opening to thereby sealsaid opening. When it is desired to remove the closure member, theoperating member is again turned a predetermined angular distancethereby relieving the pressure against the walls of the can opening tofacilitate the removal of the closure member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Various forms of the invention are shown in the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating a soda or beer can, the metaltab and ring which has been pulled off the soda can or beer can top, andthe closure member together with the operating member forming thesubject of this invention, all being illustrated in perspective;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational cross sectional view of the soda or beercan top with a closure member in accordance with the invention insertedtherein, wherein the operating member is in the inactive position; and

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional elevational view of the soda or beer can topwith the closure member inserted therein wherein the operating member isin the active position.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The closure shown in FIGS. 1-3 comprises an elastic closure element 1,preferably made of rubber or a material of equivalent elasticity. Theclosure element 1 is matingly shaped with respect to the triangularlyshaped opening 2 in the top 3 of the soda or beer can 4. The opening 2is of standard size and shape, that is it is the type of opening that isproduced in the soda and beer cans that are generally used by the sodaand beer manufacturers of the United States. Such cans generally have ametal tab 5 to which there is attached a ring 6. By pulling the ring 6the metal tab 5 can be pulled off the top 3 of the soda or beer can 4thereby exposing a triangularly shaped opening 2. An operating member 7is rotatably mounted in a bore 9 of the closure element 1. The bore 9 issubstantially equidistantly disposed from the three apices of theisosceles triangle which is formed by the plane passing through the topof the closure element 1. The operating member 7 includes a pair ofcoextensively diametrically opposite radially extending portions 8 whichbear against the internal walls of the bore 9. The bore 9 may becylindrical but can also be elyptical, whereby the longitudinal axis ofthe elipse coincides with the midsector of the isosceles triangle formedby the top of the closure elment 1. The operating member 7 includes ahandle portion 7a, adapted to be gripped for turning operating member 7.This operating member 7 is preferably made of metal. A metal washer 7bis rigidly secured or freely mounted on the free end of the operatingmember 7. A second washer 7c is coaxially secured or freely mounted onthe operating member 7 so as to bear onto the top surface of the closureelement 1 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The closure element 1 includes a top flange 1a which extends laterallyalong the upper periphery of the closure element 1 and which acts as astop when the closure element 1 is inserted into the triangular opening2.

The closure member of this invention operates as follows:

The closure element 1 is inserted into the can opening 2 by beingpressed into it. Since the operating member 7 mounted inside of the bore9 has the collaterally extending parts 8, it follows, that when theoperating member 7 is turned via the handle 7a the elastic closureelement 1 is forced against the walls of the can opening 2 because itcauses the closing element 1 to expand and the elastic material of theclosing element 1 is thereby forced outwardly. The closing element 1 isthereby locked into place and the excape of gas or liquid through theopening 2 is prevented. When it is desired to remove the closure orstopper, the operating member 7 is turned in a direction opposite to theoriginal angular rotation thereby easing the internal stress in theclosure element 1 and causing a certain shrinking of the closure element1, whereby the entire closure can be removed from the can opening 2.

In lieu of providing only a circular flange 7c, 7b, it is contemplatedand within the scope of this invention to make either or both of theflange members 7b, 7c coextensive with the top or bottom of the closureelement 1 thereby producing a sturdier and more durable assembly.

Although the invention is illustrated and described with reference to aplurality of preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be expresslyunderstood that it is in no way limited to the disclosure of such aplurality of preferred embodiments, but is capable of numerousmodifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A closure or stopper adapted to sealingly closean opening in the top of a beer or soda can, comprising in combination,aclosure element made of elastic material and having a cross-section ofconfiguration and shape that mates with the configuration and shape ofthe opening in the top of said can, said closure element having a boreextending therethrough; an operating member having a shank portion whichis rotatably mounted in said bore; said shank portion having at leastone projection laterally extending therefrom the maximum lateral extentof which exceeds the minimum radius of said bore; whereby when saidclosure element has been inserted in the can opening and the operatingmember is rotated a predetermined angular distance said closure elementis biased against the walls of the can opening thereby sealingly closingit.
 2. The closure or stopper as set forth in claim 1, wherein said canopening and cross-section of said closure element have substantiallymating triangular configurations and shapes.
 3. The closure or stopperas set forth in claim 2, including at least one washer freely mounted onsaid shank portion and bearing against the top of said closure element.4. The closure or stopper as set forth in claim 3, including anadditional washer freely mounted on said shank portion and bearingagainst the bottom of said closure element.
 5. The closure or stopper asset forth in claim 4, wherein said washers are rigidly secured to saidshank portion.
 6. The closure or stopper as set forth in claim 1,wherein said shank portion has a pair of projections laterally extendingin diametrically opposite directions.
 7. The closure or stopper as setforth in claim 1, wherein there is axially mounted a handle on the shankportion exterior of said closure element.